Tap changer



July 24, 192s. V G'.H.TUTTLE` TAP CHANGER 2 sheets-*sheet Fil'ed AApril 13, 1927 annuals July 24, 192s.

G. H. TUTTLE TAP CHANGER Patented'Jul)r 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.A

GEORGE H. TUTTLE, OF WARREN, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T THE PACKARD ELECTRIC COII- PANY, OF WARREN, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

TAP CHANGER.

Application filed April 13, 1927. Serial No. 183,324.

This invention relates to tap-changers for transformers and more particularly to that type of tap-changer that is located within the transformer tank and operable from the exterior thereof.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide an improved form of tap-changer that will permit the use of a laminated switch member for the purpose of connect- 1" ing the different contacts so as to insure a proper engagement.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of tap-changer that will insure proper insulation of the dif# 5 ferent contacts and be less expensive to manufacture than prior devices of this kind and also be of a durable construction and not liable to get out of order.

Other objects of the invention and the features of novelty will be apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: f

Fig. 1 is an axial section through a tap 5 changer embod ing my invention, shown in connection wit a portion of the transformer tank; r`-Figa 2 is a transverse section, on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the l1ne 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of another .form of tap-changer embodying my mvention, certain parts being shown in section;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fi 4.

lgeferring to Figs. 1 to 3, 10 indicates the top of a transformer tank which is provided with an opening 11 surrounded by an upstanding flange 12. A cover 13 closes the opening 11 'and has a depending flange. 144

surrounding the flange 12. For the purpose of sealing the joint between the cover 13 and the top 10, a gasket 15 may be provided'at the top of the flange 12. A relatively large tube 16, of insulating material, is suspended within the tank by means of a plurality of hangers 17 which are secured to the inner side of the top 10 by bolts 18. I prefer to employ four of the hangers 17 in order to rigidly support the tube 16. Y

A series of contact members 19 are arranged with their upper surfaces in the same plane, within the tube 16, being secured to the tube by bolts 20 which may also serve as binding' posts for the wires leading to the taps of the transformer windings. An arcuate laminated brush, or switch member .21, is arranged within the tube 16 so that its endsmay engage with the upper surfaces of the Contact members 19. This brush is secured between the arcuate members 22 and 23 vwhich may be secured together by rivets 24. The member 23 has an `extension 25 which is adapted to slide and rotate in a guide 26, at the lower end of the tube 16. The member 22 has a hollow boss- 27 in which a rod 28, of insulating material, is secured by a pin 29. The upper end of the rod 28 extends into a shaftv 30 and is secured therein by rivets 31. hasl a flange 32 thereon and a spring 33 surrounds theshaft between the flange 32 and -a boss 34 on the inner side of the cover 13.

The spring 33 serves to press the bush 21 into engagement with the contact members 19.

The cover 13 has a tubular extension 35 on whichlthere is aA stuffing-box nut 36 for The shaft 30 compressing the packing 37 against the shaft 30 to keep out moisture. A handle 38 is secured to the outer end Vof the shaft 30 by means of a rivet 39 and this handle has a sleeve 40 surrounding the stuflng-box and provided with a laterally extending lug 41 which is adapted to engage with a series of notches 42 between lugs 43 on the cover 13, for the purpose of locating the brush 20 in its different positions.4

The cover 13 .is provided with laterally projecting lugs 44 with which bolts 45 cooperate for the purpose of clamping the cover 1n position.

When the lug 41 is in engagement with one of the notches 42, thehandle 38 is held against rotation and, therefore, the brush 21 cannot be moved from one'pairof contacts to another, without lifting the handle 38 so asl to disengage the lug 41 from the notch 42. Such disengagement also disengages the brush 21 from the contacts and the handle 38 may then be rotated until the lug 41 is in alignment with the desired notch 42, whereupon the release of thev handle 38 will permit the spring-33.10 operate and move the brush 21 into engagement-with the Y therein` illustrated comprises a tube 46, of insulating material within which' there are two series of contact members 47 and 48, which may be similar to the contact members 19. The tube 46 is supported within `the tank 10 by hangers 49, similar to the hangers 17, and a brush 50 is provided for cooperation with the contact members 47, this brush being similar to the brush 21 and being secured between the arcuate members 51 and 52.V The shaft 53 is similar to the shaft 3() and is connected with the member 52 by the insulating rod 54. Another brush 55 cooperates with the contact members 48 and is secured between the arcuate members 56 and 57.' The member 57 is connected with the member I51 by a rod of insulating material 58 which. may be pinned to both of these members. The member 56 may be similarto the member 25 and has its lower end projecting through a guide 59. An additional guide 59 of insulating material may be provided for the rod 58.

'l The handle is indicated at v60 and has a` laterally projecting lug 61 which cooperates with notches 62 between lugs 63 on the cover 64, the latter being generally similar to the cover 13 and secured tothe tank 10 in the manner previously described. At the lower end of the handle 60, there is a circumferential flange 65 with which a screw 66 is adapted to engage, when the lug 61 is in one of the notches 62. The screw 66 is mounted in a lug 67 on the cover 64 and serves to lock the shaft as `well as the brushes 50 and 55, 1n positlon, so that any surges on the line to Vwhich the transformer is connected will not disengage the brushes 50 and 55 from the members with which they are in contact.

Under some conditions, it may be desirable to employ a continuous ring instead of the series of separate contact members 48 and to have the brushes 50 and 55 electrically connected; In such case, the rod 58 will be made of a suitable conducting material. Itis usually preferable to provide openings 68 in the tubes, 16 and 46 for the purpose of permitting access to the brushes and also to permit inspection of the brushes and the contact members with which they cooperate.

Having thus described my invention, I cla-1m:

1. In tap-changers for transformers, the combination of a tank, a removable cover secured thereon, a tube of ins'ulatiner material supported within said tank, a plurality of contacts individually secured on the interior of said tube, an axially movable and rotatable rod arranged within said tube and projecting through said cover, an arcuate laminated brush carried by said rod and arranged'to engage said contacts, a handle secured to said rod on the exterior'of said tank, and cooperating means on said cover and said handle for locating said brush in its different positions.

2. In tap-changers for transformers, the combination of' a tank, a removable cover secured thereon, a tube of insulating material supported within said tank, a plurality of contacts individually secured on the interior of said tube, an axially movable and rotatable rod arranged within said tube and projecting through said cover, an arcuate laminated brush carried by said rod and arranged to engage saidvcontacts, a handle secured to said rod on the exterior of said tank, and cooperating means on said cover and said handle comprising a lug on one and a plurality of notches on the othento receive said lug to locate said brush in its different positions. f

3. In tap-changers for transformers, the combination of a tank, a removable cover secured thereon, a tube of insulating material supported Within saidtank, a plurality of contacts secured on the interior of said tube, an axially movable and rotatable rod arranged within said tube and projecting through said cover, an arcuate laminated brush carried by said rod and arranged to engage said contacts, a handle secured to said rod on the exterior of said tank, a spring engaging lsaid rod and the inner side of said cover for pressing said brush against said contacts, and cooperating means on said cover and said handle comprising a lug on one and a plurality of notches on the other-to receive said lug tolocate said brush in its different positions. f

4. In tap-changers for transformers, the combination `of a tank, a removable cover secured thereon, a tube of insulating material supported'within said tank, a plurality of contacts secured on the interior of said tube, an axially movable and rotatable rod arranged within said tube, a stuiiing-box on the outer side of said cove-1' through which said rod projects, a switch carried by said rod and adapted to engage'said contacts, a. handle secured to said rod o n the exterior of said tank and having an extension toward said cover provided with a lug, said cover having a plurality of circularly arranged notches with which said lug is adapted to engage to locate` said switch in its different positions, and a spring cooperating with said rod to press said switch into eixgagement with said contacts.

5. In tap-changers for transformers, the combination of a tank, a removable cover secured thereon, a tube of insulating material supportedl within said tank,'a plurality of contacts secured on the interior of said tube, an axially movable and. rotatable rod arranged within said tube,l a stuffing-box on the outer side of said cover through which said rod projects, a switch carried by said rod and adapted to engage said contacts, a handle secured to said rod on the exterior of said rank and having an extension toward said cover provided with a lug, said cover having a plurality of circularlyarranged notches with which said lug is adapted to. engage to locate said switch in its different positions, a spring cooperating with said rod to press said switch into engagement with said contacts, and means on the exterior of said cover for positively securing said rod against axial n'iovement.

6. ln tan-changers for transformers, the combination olf' a tank,a removable cover secured thereon, a tube ot' insulating material supported within said tank, a plurality ot' series of contacts secured on the interior of said tube, the contacts of one series heing spaced axially ot' the tube from those of the other series, an axially movable and rotatable rod arranged within said tube'and projecting through said cover, a plurality of arcuate laminated brushes carried h v said rod and each of which cooperates with oneot' said 'series of contacts, a handle secured on said rod on the exterior ot' said tank, and cooperatingr means on said cover and said handle comprising a lug on one and a plu@ rality ot notches on the other to receive said lug to locate said brushes in their different positions.

7. In tap-changers for transformers, the combination of a tank, a removable cover secured thereon, a tube of insulating material supported Within said tank, a plurality ofseries of contacts secured on the interior of said tube, the contacts of one series being;`

spaced axially of the tube from those of the other series, an axially movable and rotatable rod arranged within said tube and projecting through said Cover, a plurality ot arcuate laminated brushes carried b v said rod and cach ot' which cooperates with one of said series of contacts, a handle secured on said rod on the exterior of said tank. cooperating means on said cover and said handle comprising a lug on-one and a plurality otl notches on the other to receive said lug to locate said brushes in their d ilerent positions, and means tor positively securing said rod against axial movement.

8. 1n tap-changers for transformers, the combination of a tank, a removable cover secured thereon, a tube of insulating material supported within said tank, a plurality of contacts individually mounted on theV interior of said tube, each of said contacts being provided with a bolt extending through the wall ot' the tube for securing the contact to the tube, an axially movable and rotatable rod arranged Within said tube, a switch carried by said rod and. adapted to engage said contacts, a handle on said rod, a iixed sector, and means fixed to said rod and cooperating with said sector to locate said switch in its dil'erent positions.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aiiix my signature.

GEORGE H. TUTTLE. 

